A vital village bus route has made a welcome return just four months after it was axed.

People power led to operator Arriva reversing its decision to reroute the 455 service between Dartford and Gravesend to omit six densely-populated roads through Swanscombe.

Many people living in the village feared being left cut-off and almost house-bound as the new, shorter route also restricted access to Swanscombe High Street, a health centre and even the Asda store at Greenhithe.

The revised service was introduced in October, and just days after improvement works at one axed bus stop had been completed at a cost of about £4,000.

But Arriva came under fire from angry residents and councillors, and when it carried out its own public consultation the company found 89% of households wanted the affected roads to be reinstated.

One of those residents, Sandra Stevens, was among the first passengers boarding the 455 in Gunn Road when it came back into operation this week.

The delighted 70-year-old said: "As soon as I heard the service was coming back I said whether I wanted to go to town or not I would be on that first bus - and It was fantastic.

"I thought it was just going to be me at the bus stop but my friend Dee came too and there were also others waiting.

"I am so happy to have it back. I haven't been into Gravesend since October and had to rely on family to take me to Asda Greenhithe.

"It's also lovely to hear them going past my flat again. I have lived here for 21 years and I know when the buses are coming.

"The bus stop is right outside my flat and if I was fed up I would just jump on a bus and go into Gravesend. Having this service again means we have our freedom back."

The revised route introduced in October cut out Church Road, Swanscombe Street, Gunn Road, Bodle Avenue, Manor Road and Milton Street.

Arriva said at the time the changes were made as a result of "competing" demands from passengers. Its vehicles were also reported to have difficulty manoeuvring around parked cars.

However, it meant residents faced lengthy walks to their nearest bus stop, or having to catch two buses, including one to Bluewater, just to travel the short distance to Asda.

Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association secretary Bryan Read, who is also a ward councillor, collected hundreds of petition signatures.

He said Arriva's u-turn was a good example of people working together to achieve a pleasing result for everyone.

"It does show that people around here need a thank you for responding the way they did. I am very proud of them.

"The residents, the residents' association, local councillors - everyone needs a pat on the back, even Arriva and the fact they listened."

Arriva's Simon Baxter said it had responded to "clear cut and overwhelming" demand.